ScreenFish

where faith and film are intertwined

J. Alan Sharrer

City So Real: A World Within a World

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A woman talks to a police officer during a protest. (Chicago Story Film, LLC)

The city of Chicago has always received less than top billing in the United States.  Its blue-collar, earthy mentality is quite unique when compared to Houston, Los Angeles, or New York City. However, it truly is a world all its own with over 75 separate sections comprising its makeup, each showcasing some of the best (and worst) parts of who we are as a people.  With his five-part drama City So Real (NatGeo, 10.29 and Hulu starting 10.30), director Steve James (Hoop Dreams, America to Me) has provided an opportunity for the city as a whole to give voice on behalf of the entire country – and this is accomplished in remarkable fashion.

I lived and attended school in the Western Suburbs of Chicago, so I’ve seen a thing or two about the town—or so I thought.  Instead, I discovered that I was quite sheltered from the richness and color Chicago has as a whole.  In order to get that, I had to jump on the freeway and drive 25 or so miles east.  But even then, I only spent time in the popular areas (Downtown; Navy Pier; Lakeshore Drive).  Rarely did I ever step foot into the other parts of town.

James, in his over five hour documentary (and I recommend you watch the whole thing), brings to light two portions of life from these 75+ perspectives. The first involves the weeks and months after mayor Rahm Emmanuel decided not to run for reelection.  With the city swimming in financial woes and uncertainty (such as a potentially huge housing project called Lincoln Yards), you might think two or three individuals would come out and run to take over that position.  Wrong! Twenty-one people throw their hat into the fray – from computer coder Neal Sáles-Griffin to Nigerian born Amara Enyia (getting cred from Chace the Rapper and Kanye West) to Richard Daley (whose relatives ran the city for 43 years), the documentary showed off not only the convoluted process Chicago has for its elections, but how each candidate campaigned—and more importantly, how each section of the city responded.  The Sideline Studios, a predominantly African-American haircut place on the South Side, is allowed to let its owner Dionell Hill and his customers air their thoughts a la Coming to America—and they pull no punches. That business is later contrasted with another haircut location that features all Caucasian clientele.  It was refreshing perspective to see and hear the tonal color of these sections of town—and see them firsthand.

The race also coincides with the murder trial of a Chicago cop who killed Laquan McDonald by shooting him 16 times.  Chicago has always been known for corruption—and a large part of the town thinks the office will get off free. They think in mainly binary tones, but when justice is finally reached, it’s a breath of fresh air one part of the city has rarely seen.

The mayoral race gets dirty and competitive – and in the end the winner is a former prosecutor named Lori Lightfoot, a lady who’s willing to walk door to door and meet people to get a vote.  She exhibits a new way of looking things, being both African-American and lesbian.  In the end, she wins in a landslide.

Yard signs display a variety of candidates running in the 2019 Mayor’s race in Chicago. (Chicago Story Film, LLC)

If James were to have stopped here, it would’ve been enough.  However, the last part of the documentary brings the now into perspective – starting in March when Covid-19 began to ransack the country and led to Chicago shutting down, killing many of the mom-and-pop businesses in the process (one resorted to selling jigsaw puzzles and even printing its own money).  Lightfoot’s non-nonsense, don’t-mess-with-me demeanor was one that worked effectively—until people started getting tired of being inside and George Floyd’s death ripped the bandage off racial tensions.  Of course, the story isn’t over—it plays out every day, making Chicago . . .  well . . .  that place Carl Sandburg immortalized in his poem of the same name.

I found the documentary to be cutting, relevant, and well-executed. James has a knack for getting into the minds of people and asking questions that allow them to share who they are and how they’re feeling.  People are definitely willing to talk if you allow them a method to share their voice! I was also impressed about how James allowed each section of town to speak for itself, a unique yet important aspect.  It reminds me of some of the areas mentioned in the Bible—Jerusalem, Nazareth, and Bethlehem are just three.  Each are part of the overall picture of history and yet each has its own unique flavor.  Jerusalem saw its share of violence and destruction for thousands of years – not only inside but outside the city walls.  Nazareth was a place where people asked if anything good could come from it (in this case, it certainly did). Bethlehem was extremely small and yet is now known as the birthplace of Jesus.  All the pieces, when put together, make up a picture that’s greater than the sum of its parts.  City So Real reveals that in a compelling and gripping way—one you won’t soon forget.

City So Real airs on NatGeo on October 29 and Hulu starting October 30

Bill and Ted Face the Music: Part of the Tapestry

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“We may be old, but we still know how to use a phone book!”

In 1989, theatergoers were treated to a goofy yet fun film called Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure. It involved a pair of high school students (Alex Winter and Keanu Reeves, whose vocabulary mainly consisted of “whoa, “dude,” and “totally”) who tried to save their grade in history by bringing major characters from history into class via time machine disguised as a phone booth. The sequel, Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey, wasn’t as well received by audiences, but still kept the quirkiness as Bill and Ted adding bass guitar-playing Death to their band and married a pair of 14th century princesses as they worked on a song to unite humanity.

Thankfully, the phone booth has arrived in the form of Bill and Ted Face the Music! It’s just as fun and madcap as the two previous movies yet adds even more craziness to the fray.  Despite a number of issues, it manages to succeed because, at its heart, the story always comes back to Bill and Ted.

In this third installment, we get to see Bill Preston (Winter) and Ted Logan (Reeves) still in search of that perfect song for their band, Wyld Stallyns. Unfortunately, time has worn on and the boys have been reduced from being part of a worldwide TV spectacular to performing at weddings using trumpets, steel pan drums, bagpipes, and a theremin.  They are still married to the princesses but have a frightening inability of using the word “I” to declare their love to their wives, using “we” instead.  They also have grown daughters named Billie (Brigette Lundy-Paine) and Thea (Samantha Weaving) who are in search of the perfect musical collection and have an almost encyclopedic knowledge of bands, right down to key changes in songs. They spend the first portion of the film listening to music and eating Cheetos (more on that later).

When an egg-shaped item appears in their San Dimas cul-de-sac and Kelly (Kristen Schaal) appears, we learn that something bad is about to happen. Called ‘the Great Unraveling’, it was set in motion by Bill and Ted’s history project of 1989; famous characters are shifting positions in time and if not fixed, the world will end.  They have to simply create that song—and they only have a few hours to do it!  No pressure. They’re given a stern reprimand by the Great Leader (Holland Taylor), who thinks they can’t do it and later sends an android to kill them.

Bill and Ted then begin a spiral into a time travel sequence that is dizzying in its scope as they discover their future, what they can do about it, and themselves. Their kids see the issue and recreate, to some extent, their fathers’ original journey, this time grabbing famous musicians to create a band for Bill and Ted to play behind. A fun scene is watching Jimi Hendrix getting in the mind of a famous composer. Before this film is over, they’ll travel thousands of years, have a brush with Death (who cheats at hopscotch), and stand alongside their fathers for a final stand.

Billie, Thea, and . . . Cudi?

Some of the Bill and Ted purists might be upset that they had daughters instead of boys (as was alluded to in the last film), but Reeves and Winter use “Little Bill” and “Little Ted” to refer to Billie and Thea, so that’s not too much of an issue.  For me, the bigger issue involves some rather obvious and obnoxious product placement—see if you can count the major brands represented! In addition, there’s some serious deus ex machina going on to tidy the film at the end, which makes the ending feel unearned. But perhaps that doesn’t matter in the end . . .

One line from the film that stuck with me involved a pocketwatch Bill and Ted are given by Kelly.  It belonged to her late father Rufus (George Carlin, who director Dean Parisot honors with a nice holographic cameo) and when opened, contained this quote: “Sometimes things don’t make sense until the end of the story.”  There are many days where I would just like to see—even for an instant—the effect of my life years from now.  What did this action do?  How did that 20 second conversation with someone make an impact in their life?  What we see in reality is the back of a needlepoint project – there are lots of colors and string, but there seems to be no real rhyme or reason to any of it. That’s where God enters the picture.  He’s got it all figured out–even in the middle of a global pandemic or those days when we’re struggling to make it through the next hour–and we will one day see the tapestry flip over to reveal why things happened the way they did.  (As a Christian, I can’t help but be reminded of Paul, who put it this way: “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us” [Romans 8:18].)

Is Bill and Ted Face the Music going to win any Academy Awards?  Nope.  

Is it going to provide viewers a ninety-minute break from a world ravaged by a pandemic, besieged with protests, and deteriorating before our very eyes? It very well might!

Bill and Ted Face the Music is available in theatres and on PVOD now.

Words on Bathroom Walls – Reveal Yourself!

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This is fine. Or is it?

High school is a challenging time for many individuals. It’s not as simple as heading to class, earning good grades, and getting into a dream college.  There are additional things to consider: Should I be a part of the Drama Club or go out for the baseball team? Are people going to judge me based on my clothing choices, the car I drive, or the posts on my Insta account? Is it worth the rejection if I ask the cheerleader out to dinner and a movie? In the film Words on Bathroom Walls, Adam Petrazelli (Charley Plummer) also has to deal with a trio of personas living their ‘lives’ out in his head. It’s enough to cause someone to lose their mind—and he almost does.

We meet Adam through flashbacks as he recounts his experiences to a psychologist.  He’s had to deal with schizophrenia for his entire life in the form of laid-back Joaquin (Devon Bostick), who tells him to say all of his unfiltered thoughts; free-spirit Rebecca (Annasophia Robb), who is very much peace-loving; and The Bodyguard (Lobo Sebastian), who administers justice with an aluminum baseball bat. There’s also a menacing black fog that shows up and threatens Adam with put-downs – this leads to a situation in chemistry class that gets Adam expelled. His mom (Molly Parker) tries to help him, knowing that he’s an incredible chef and has one chance to attain culinary school. To that end, she and his new stepfather Paul (Walton Goggins) enroll him in St. Agatha Catholic School. “I’m not even Catholic,” Adam says as he meets with the head of the school. The Bodyguard gets involved, throwing a lit cigar on the floor, starting a virtual fire that immediately (and hilariously) calls to mind the meme where a dog is sitting in a burning room and quips, “This is fine.” There are high standards at St. Agatha, and Adam is determined to reach them via the help of a new medication he’s taking as part of a clinical trial. Sure enough, the medicine works and the three personas begin to disappear, allowing him to be his true self.

Does the guy get the girl? You’ll have to see the film to find out.

While in this single persona state, Adam begins to figure out the school. He finds a bathroom scrawled with words—and nefarious behavior in the form of soon-to-be valedictorian Maya (Taylor Russell).  She calls herself “The Bernie Madoff of academic fraud,” making money by helping kids with assignments. Adam watches a transaction and is somewhat smitten by Maya, and over time (due to his excellent cooking) wins her friendship. But he discovers there’s more to Maya than meets the eye. Adam also begins to accept some truth about himself (and confession in the form of 1 John 1:9) via Father Patrick (Andy Garcia).  When the medicine begins to cause serious side effects, Adam has a choice to make: keep taking it or stop, allowing the personas to return, possibly threatening to undo all the positives from his time at the school.

Words on Bathroom Walls calls to mind Daniel Keyes’ classic story Flowers for Algernon, where Charlie Gordon undergoes an experimental surgery that boosts his IQ to genius levels. It causes him to make sense of his world in ways never imagined before.  Adam begins to understand life free from the constraints of schizophrenia, but finally realizes that people close to him love him and want the best for him regardless. I do think the physical personas were a touch of genius, but director Thor Freudenthal’s work was overshadowed by two things: a lack of interaction between Adam and other students and an overly formulaic ending that didn’t seem realistic (considering the nature of a mental condition). Regardless, it was a film that helps to bring the topic of mental disorders in teens into a more mainstream discussion.

One of the takeaways that I had from the movie involved being true to oneself as well as others.  Obviously, Adam didn’t want people to know about his condition (he was bullied in the early stages of the film for it), but Maya did the same thing.  It reminds me a lot of how life has changed since The Virus That Must Not Be Named made an entrance into our lives. In addition to changing societal norms like handshakes and hugs, it has become a magnifying glass that has peered into the souls of billions of people and exposed many deep-seated beliefs—or even prejudices—in the form of BLM, facial coverings, or other thoughts/feelings kept inside for too long and eventually released – see Matthew 12:34). May we consider a better option—the mind of Christ, who was humble and embodied a servant heart and attitude (see Philippians 2:5-11). That will go a long way as our world goes forward. 

Being real can be a good thing! It just took a few words on some bathroom walls to remind me of that fact.

Words on Bathroom Walls is available on VOD on August 21st, 2020.

The Grizzlies: Hope is Not Cancelled

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The opening of the recent film The Grizzlies silently follows a boy on a walk with his dog amidst a desolate landscape. He sits down amidst the rocky crags, calls his dog over, and pets him. Then the boy shoots himself, leaving the dog to run free.  It’s an extremely jarring beginning to a film.

The boy is a member of the Nunavaut tribe in Northern Canada. Life for the people is categorized by standing around, drinking, smoking, and trying to survive a brutal climate.  It’s no wonder the town has the highest suicide rate in the country.

Entering into this is Russ Sheppard (Ben Schnetzer), a young guy whose life has taken a northern detour to Nunavaut in order to teach high school students. He’s a bit arrogant and thinks he can simply come in sight unseen and make things happen, but soon experiences culture shock when what he thinks is a basic run to the grocery store ends up costing him hundreds of dollars. Sheppard’s first class in the town of Kugluktuk doesn’t fare much better. There are a handful of kids and only one (Miranda, played by Emerald MacDonald) has any interest in academics. Sheppard tries to go “by the books,” gets into a heated discussion with another student, then blocks the door and tells the student they’ll have to get past him first. The student punches Sheppard directly in the face and walks out.

Sheppard wants to get through to the kids and get them out of their situations, but their lives are mired in hopelessness he doesn’t fully understand. He attempts to push students to get better but to no avail. He protects one of his students from domestic abuse. He sees another student who is struggling and counsels him with basic platitudes. This backfires when Sheppard discovers the boy killed himself after their talk. Sheppard struggles with the ramifications and begins to wonder whether he can make any positive difference at all.

However, a breakout occurs when Sheppard realizes he already has the key to the tribe in his hands—a lacrosse stick. In Canada, the sport is nearly on par with ice hockey (it’s their national summer sport), but the students are reluctant to trust him when he begins to introduce the concept of a team. Only when he earns the trust of Adam (Ricky Marty-Pahtaykan) does the town begin to show interest—even allowing a mini-tournament to be held in the local gym. That success leads Sheppard to enter a team from Kugluktuk into the national tournament.  This drives a rift between the younger and older generation that threatens to rip the tribe apart.  

The Grizzlies appears on the scene in a very unique time in history – it was scheduled to be released in the US in late February (I had the opportunity to screen it at that time), but The Virus Which Must Not Be Named pushed the release to this month. My first take on the film: there are some nice aspects (particularly the cinematography and acting of the teenage characters), but the desperation and darkness at the beginning is simply too heavy for the rest of the film to overcome. I still believe this six months later, but I think we need the ending more than ever right now.

Hope is on the way . . . be ready for it!

With the world deep in the throes of a pandemic, the months of staying at home and limited contact with others (outside of a computer screen) have had a profound effect on people. A sense of hopelessness has developed as the days drag on. Frustration mounts as news reports provide pictures and videos providing conflicting information. Fear has arisen due to the unknowns and changes from what was once normal behavior. Yet hope isn’t cancelled. The sun rises each morning as a gentle reminder that today has the potential to be better than yesterday. As the Bible puts it, “[H]ope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it” (Romans 8:24-25 NASB).  We long for the days when handshakes and hugs become commonplace, when phrases such as social distancing disappear from use.  We might not see things change immediately, but we keep praying and doing our part to help end the pandemic, remaining hopeful in the eventual outcome.

At the end of The Grizzlies, the team plays its qualification matches at the national tournament, but the stresses of life, the expectations of a community, and Sheppard’s decision to leave the tribe rain hopelessness on everyone. Goal after goal after goal is scored on them—and they have no comeback. But hope is waiting and enters the stage at the perfect time, performing a transformational work.

The Grizzlies is available on demand now.

Artemis Fowl: The Ways of the Father

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Blues Brothers, where are you?

Since I’m not a huge fan of the Artemis Fowl series, I’ve decided to allow someone who is the ability to share their thoughts. In this case, it’s my daughter Rebecca.

Here’s what she had to say . . .

I started reading the Artemis Fowl series one day in my sophomore year of high school and immediately fell in love with the sarcastic criminal mastermind that the books are named after. I loved the way that Holly Short used her wits to make the best of every situation. I ravenously devoured the series and was quite delighted–and at the same time annoyed–with the ending. When I discovered that Eoin Colfer was writing a second series starring some of Artemis’ family, I was ecstatic. Then I heard Disney was making a movie and began counting the days until it landed on Disney+.

I was able to watch Artemis Fowl recently and was immediately struck with the remembrance that Colfer made changes to the film so it would fit what he had originally planned for the series. If you’re a fan of the books, prepare yourself in advance for some deviations. Overall, the movie has top-notch CGI and is a thrilling fast-paced adventure that leaves you hanging off your seat, waiting for more. Thankfully, the movie paves the way for a sequel and is a good reminder that, as we prepare to celebrate Father’s Day, we need to be thankful for the dads in our lives.

Set along the shores of Ireland, a place where magic seems to be present everywhere you look and home to Fowl Manor, where Artemis Fowl (Ferdia Shaw) and his father (Colin Farrell) live, this movie shows the majestic wonder that is the surface world. Artemis does not believe in the fairies and magic, but grew up being told tales of them by his father. Artemis’ father is captured by a mysterious person and the world seems to come to the realization that the Fowls are criminal masterminds (which isn’t far from the truth, actually). The mystery person calls and makes a deal with the young Artemis Fowl: his father in exchange for a mysterious artifact of the fairykind.

Peek-a-boo!

Cut to the underground world, where it is discovered that this artifact is already missing, and we meet the young (at least in fairy years) Officer Holly Short (Lara McDonnell), the daughter of the fairykind traitor, Beechwood Short. Holly is assigned a mission to the surface world by gravel-voiced Commander Julius Root (Judi Dench) and, at the same time, Artemis discovers that the world of the fairies is real and he begins to put together a plan to save his father. This part is almost identical to how it is in the books, with Holly being captured and used as bait by Artemis for the fairies. Mulch Diggums (Josh Gad) is brought in, ultimately finds the artifact, and Holly uses it to save Artemis’ father from the evil Opal Koboi, and return home safely. At this point, cue Artemis and the others becoming a team and preparing to kick Opal’s butt.

Despite the fact that he is indeed a criminal mastermind, Arty’s dad loves him very much and tries to spend as much time with him as possible whenever he is home. It’s pretty evident that Artemis’ father wants the best for his son–even to the point that he’s already prepared the way for Artemis so that, in time, he will discover everything his father has prepared for him. To this end, Arty’s father has provided his child a journal with all of his notes inside. In the same way, Arty’s father is like our father in heaven. God has prepared the way for those who love Him and His Son Jesus while providing resources like the Bible to read and put into practice. In addition, Artemis’ butler and his niece Juliet are there (just like fellow believers) to help Arty along the way–no matter how uncertain life seems. It should give us great comfort, therefore, to know God is always there for us. Perhaps it would be a good idea, on occasion, to tell Him “thank you” for all He’s done.

Of course, telling Dad the same thing (and giving him a hug) wouldn’t hurt either . . . 

The Call of the Wild: True Friends

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If there is one thing the global pandemic has taught us, it’s that our way of living can be turned upside down quite easily. We have all felt the effects of something no naked eye can see. Companies have been reduced to shells of themselves—or even cease to exist. People have learned to adapt to life in a technologically driven world—often through a computer screen. It makes for a world that may look and feel quite different once society is ready to push the start button again. It’s interesting that the recent film The Call of the Wild makes the concept of friendship a focal point, reminding us all that even if we don’t think we need each other, we really do.

Set at the end of the 19th century during the Klondike Gold Rush, the film (adapted from Jack London’s beloved novel) focuses on a dog named Buck.  At the beginning of the movie, he lives with a judge in Santa Clara, California. Buck is huge—both in size and in the ability to cause problems (such as giving into temptation and chowing down on a massive buffet set up for the judge’s guests).  He is captured one night and is thrown on a train to Skagway Alaska, where he delivers mail as part of a sled dog team led by Perrault (Omar Sy) and Francoise (Cara Gee). He’s ready to run the show but doesn’t understand how the pecking order works.  Spitz is Perrault’s alpha dog and will not give it up easily.  However, Buck’s compassion and generosity to the other sled dogs has a ripple effect that eventually leads to him taking over and helping Perrault and Francoise deliver the mail on time for the first time ever. 

But that’s not Buck’s overall plan for life—Perrault and Francois lose their jobs and his sled dog team is sold to Hal (Dan Stevens), a man with a vile temper and no knowledge of how to lead anything or anybody.  As a result, he almost drives the dog team to the breaking point—until John Thornton (Harrison Ford) shows up and rescues him, infuriating Hal even further.  Why did John rescue Buck?  It seems the two had met each other a few times in the past, with Buck returning John’s harmonica to him in Skagway.  This friendship is exactly what the two need, even as they endure nature, the aforementioned Hal, and Buck’s discovery of his place in the world.

The film itself has numerous scenes of absolute beauty—both visually and emotionally. Director Chris Sanders, in his directorial debut, does a nice job weaving in plot points, action sequences, and the requisite Harrison Ford voiceover.  I do think the ending was a bit telegraphed, but it still had a satisfying element to it due to the connection John and Buck have with each other. For the most part, the other characters weren’t memorable, although Sy’s Perrault reminds me of Cool Runnings for some reason (say it with me: “Feel the rhythm, feel the rhyme . . .”). If there is a real issue in the movie, it involves the CGI.  In this day and age, we’re used to realism exactly like real life.  There were a number of times where I was actually distracted due to seeing something abnormal (the jumping on the beds in Judge Miller’s house was one).  However, The Call of the Wild does a good enough job to warrant a recommendation from me.

John Thornton had life change for him with the loss of his son, Tim. He needed stability that did not arrive when he wanted it.  However, Buck’s entrance into his life was a game-changer for him.  John gave into his sense of adventure and began to transform into the person Tim would’ve been proud of. This is exactly what a true friend does—they see our good and our bad yet make the conscious choice to challenge, encourage, and love us.  In fact, the Bible says that “A friend loves at all times” (Proverbs 17:17 NASB).  In life—and even moreso during this once-in-a-lifetime situation we find ourselves in—we need true friends to rally around us as we rally around them. Buck changed for the better in the film and this is part of the reason why. May we take his example to heart today!  

The Call of the Wild is available on VOD now.

Self-Isolation Film Festival: Napoleon Dynamite

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“I’ll give you 10 good reasons to watch this film . . . after I show off some sweet dance moves.”

Like many people, I have a specific slate of movies I turn to whenever I am bored or want to relax after a long day at work. Many of the films are humorous, such as The Princess Bride, Spaceballs, and The Emperor’s New Groove. Some have an endearing charm to them, like My Neighbor Totoro or Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium (if you don’t believe me, watch it for yourself). Others can be quoted nearly line for line – prime examples of this include Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and The Goonies.  However, one film that has served to encapsulate all three of these elements is Napoleon Dynamite.  The combination of humor, quotability, and sweetness is one reason why I find myself reaching for it consistently.  In addition, the film offers some unique lessons that can be useful in our lives—even in this current age of family confinement.

Preston, Idaho seems to be the perfect location to practice social distancing. In the case of Napoleon Dynamite (Jon Heder), that’s probably all he wants in life—for days to blend into a blur.  He wants little to do with older brother Kip (Aaron Ruell), who’s attempting to date remotely and really enjoys nachos.  It doesn’t seem like he wants to be around his grandmother, who’s willing to get out and try new things (until she pays the price at the sand dunes).  In fact, Napoleon and Kip’s parents are nowhere to be found!  Uncle Rico (Jon Gries) basically acts as a pseudo-babysitter while eating as much steak as possible, Deb (Tina Majorino) comes over to peddle her limited photography skills before running away, and Tina the llama wants to eat nothing Napoleon flings her way (and I don’t blame her).

One of the reasons I appreciate the movie so much is how high school life is depicted.  The four years before college were not always the easiest for me.  PE was inherently boring (including tetherball); dating was king, yet I often spoke before I understood the effects of my words; and gossip was the high octane fuel that created consistently awkward experiences for all.  Seeing it come alive on screen caused those memories to rush back, but in a manner that caused laughter instead of cringing. (By the way, I’m sure Napoleon actually did his homework, but it didn’t make it into Jared Hess’s final cut.  Instead, the afterschool meeting of the Happy Hands Club was replaced with Napoleon’s endless quest to secure tots and score sweet jumps on Pedro’s Sledgehammer.  I’m fine with the director’s decision.)

The 80’s are alive again! (BTW, you are more than welcome to send me Napoleon’s t-shirt)

Despite the hilarious situations the characters find themselves in, each of them have deeper layers that are revealed over the course of the film.  Kip wants acceptance (and gets it in Lafawnduh [Shondrella Avery]); Uncle Rico is deperate to travel back in time and win the state football title (but instead resorts to selling plastic bowls door-to-door before meeting Rex); Pedro (Efren Ramirez) reaches for the stars (and succeeds at becoming student body president); while Napoleon is just Napoleon, the liger drawing, leisure suit wearing, impressive dancer who comes to the rescue in the end. 

In fact, it’s only because of friendship and loyalty that Kip and Lafawnduh get together, Napoleon helps Pedro win the election, and Deb remains the steadying influence Napoleon needs.  The Bible has quite a bit to say about this (1 Samuel 20; Proverbs 17:17).  In the unique times we currently find ourselves in, we are to be there for those who need us, even if we can’t physically be there to help.  A letter, a phone call, a meeting on Zoom—anything helps. 

In addition, I’m reminded of a scene in the film where Napoleon brazenly asks Deb at lunch why she’s drinking lowfat milk. It’s awkward but brings up a good question: why do we do the things we do?  Is it for attention? Is it because everyone else does the same thing? Is it because we want to be the opposite of the things we see in others or society? Or could it be something else?  As Christians, we’re called to be ambassadors/representatives for Jesus (see 2 Corinthians 5:20), so we should be the leaders whose lives people want to emulate.  Perhaps Napoleon was on to something.

In this time of uncertainty, it’s good to know that my copy of Napoleon Dynamite is on the shelf, ready at a moment’s notice to provide comfort, quotability, and hilarity. That is, unless my family decides to hide it again . . .

Richard Jewell: The End of the Innocence

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They’re a common sight around malls, retail stores, and companies these days. They help make sure things go smoothly yet are often ignored or make fun of. Of course, I’m referring to the humble security guard.

Perhaps the most infamous of all security personnel in the past 25 years has to be Richard Jewell. For the younger generation, his name is not one that will likely register as important. Director Clint Eastwood wants to change that with his latest film Richard Jewell. It is a tale of heroism, woe, and frustration that will reward the patient filmgoer and serves as a reminder of life before the world’s innocence was shattered one fateful evening.

Richard Jewell (Paul Walter Hauser) was a rather portly individual who lived in the Atlanta area and had a dream of getting into law enforcement. He was good with guns, extremely good at remembering things, but absolutely lousy in people to people relationships. His track record wasn’t the best either, partially due to the people he was trying to protect making fun of or simply ignoring him.

At the opening of the film, Jewell’s trying to make ends meet as a supply clerk in a law firm. He encounters Watson Bryant (Sam Rockwell), a no-nonsense lawyer who doesn’t take anything from anyone, including elected officials. The two briefly get to know each other over candy bars and a discussion in a video arcade before Jewell takes another job, this time as security detail at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. There, he helps protect a music venue inside Centennial Park, the hub of action outside the sporting venues.

All is well for the first few concerts until one fateful evening when Jewell spots a suspicious backpack under a bench near the sound and lighting tower. He calls the police over to check (this is an international event, after all) and begins getting people out of the way. Suddenly the backpack explodes, raining fire and shrapnel throughout the park. Two people were killed and over 100 injured, transforming the capital city of Georgia instantaneously. Jewell goes home that evening, content that he helped keep the situation from being significantly worse.

The next day, he discovers that his observation and quick thinking has won him fame in the eyes of the world. People want to talk to him on television, people cheer when they see him, and he becomes an instant celebrity. Meanwhile, the FBI begins to look into who planted the backpack and called 911 with a warning about the bomb. They don’t have any real leads, but after acquiring information from Jewell’s past, they suddenly begin to think he was the culprit, doing it for fame and notoriety. With that, Richard’s quiet lifestyle (he lives in an apartment building with his mother [played by the always excellent Kathy Bates]) is completely shattered as the FBI does everything possible to make him the world’s biggest enemy.

Usually such situations are kept fairly quiet. However, Kathy Scruggs, a rather arrogant and pushy reporter from the Atlanta Journal newspaper (played with realistic smarminess by Olivia Wilde) is able to coerce one of the FBI detectives to inform her who they’re going after. They have a paper to print, you know. When she finds out, she makes the FBI’s intentions known to the world. 

Cue circus music.

Jewell suddenly cannot move more than 15 feet without a reporter yelling questions at him or hearing the shutters of cameras go off. He doesn’t know what to do. At this point, he reaches for the one person who might be able to help him–the lawyer he stocked with candy bars a few months earlier. Since then, Watson Bryant has gone into his own practice and decides to help the poor guy out. The question is whether the mass of humanity descending on Jewell or the FBI will destroy him first. 

Richard Jewell is a film that, for me, hit very close to home. You see, I was at Centennial Park a few hours before the bomb exploded. I played in the fountains and snapped a few 35mm pictures before heading back to South Carolina. That night, my friends and I huddled around a television set, aghast at the video news outlets were showing of the aftermath and thankful to God that we left when we did. I also distinctly remember the media’s evisceration of Jewell and how he was made to look like had the whole bombing planned (in reality, Eric Rudolph confessed to it a few months later). I remember feeling sorry for the guy but had no idea how much his life changed as a result of the FBI and media. Of course, the film shows Jewell as an avid owner of guns and is extremely knowledgeable about security–things the FBI used against him. Bryant tells him to not say anything, but he keeps talking (since he’s so big into law enforcement), making things worse on everyone around him. It’s only after he realizes how the ordeal has hurt his mother that he finally gets the nerve to confront the FBI directly. 

As for the film itself, it’s very good and has some incredible acting. Bates was nominated for a Golden Globe recently for her role as Jewell’s mom Bobi. Hauser and Rockwell are great in their individual roles but magical when they share the screen. You see and feel their relationship build, change, and eventually transform each other. Munn seems to me to be the weak link, but after giving it some thought, she adds a necessary layer to transform the film from ho-hum to must-see. And this is a film that deserves to be seen and its voice heard for past, present, and future generations. 

That evening in Centennial Park, anyone off the street could walk in–there were police around, but no layer of security other than presence. One week later, I returned to Atlanta to see a handball match and found a completely different city. There was a feeling of nervousness everywhere. Security was beefed up considerably. In fact, in order to visit the park again, I had to go through two separate bag checks. The innocence was gone, never to be reclaimed again. 

At one point on this planet, there was innocence and no need for protection. Adam and Eve were sinless at first, having their pick of whatever they wanted to do and to eat. Sure, God warned them not to eat from one specific tree, but there was no security guard around for enforcement. When they finally gave in and tasted of the forbidden fruit, things changed. The innocence was lost. God, after a stern lecture, kicked them out of Eden–and added security detail in the form of a flaming sword so they could never get in again. Sin is costly, but it doesn’t have to rule in us thanks to Jesus and his birth, life, death, and return to life once more. He’s ready to forgive all those who call on him to do so.

Make sure you put Richard Jewell on your must-see list this year. It’s thrilling, harrowing, and a sobering reminder of innocence lost–both individually and as a society.

Special features include both “The Real Story of Richard Jewell” and “The Making of Richard Jewell” with many of the principles (Eastwood, Hamm, Rockwell, Bates, etc.) included.

Cosmos: Multiple Worlds – Are We Ready for This?

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An imagined human settlement on an exoplanet moon is offered as a reminder that we are capable of greatness. COSMOS: POSSIBLE WORLDS premieres March 9, 2020 on National Geographic. (Cosmos Studios)

A number of years ago, my family took a trip to Crater Lake in Oregon for vacation.  The most memorable part of the visit wasn’t my first view of the massively deep late located in the caldera of a formerly active volcano. It wasn’t the waterfalls that dotted the landscape around the park (although I do enjoy waterfalls). Instead, it was when our family decided to find a location free of lights and wait for the stars to appear over the lake.  It took a little while, but we were incredibly rewarded with a sky that increasingly filled with stars and galaxies, the likes of which we had never seen. 

I think at some point in everyone’s life, one’s head turns to the skies and wonders what is beyond the stars. In the case of Carl Sagan, his drawings as a kid paved the way to a lifetime of exploration and study of the future and what it might be like.  The original Cosmos came out in 1980 and immediately tapped into the hearts and minds of people desiring, like Sagan, to make some sense of what might be.  Since then, the ideas of life outside Earth have not waned—in fact, they have increased dramatically. 

Into this massive desire steps a new series by National Geographic and Sagan’s wife Ann Druyan—Cosmos: Possible Worlds (Mondays, 9 PM [2 episodes]).  Hosted by well-known scientist Neil deGrasse Tyson, it offers captivating graphics and a storyline that seeks to bring the curiosity and intrigue to a new generation of viewers.  Does it succeed?  I think that will depend on the viewer, but I also think it requires a specific belief system to truly resonate.  In this case, it’s one of the most debated questions in science—how did the universe begin?  

Tyson explains early on in the first episode about the cosmic calendar and how it shows where we in the grand scheme of time.  Basically, we are but a few blinks of an eye from the clock striking midnight on New Year’s Eve.  It doesn’t, however, stop people from looking skyward and considering what can potentially be.  We have to start somewhere—so why not do so by looking forward, not backward?  Tyson says science is good, but “without imagination, we go nowhere.” Dreaming plus action equals such things as Perseverance, the new Mars rover scheduled to be launched this year.  But even that is puny when looking at other locales for future life, such as Neptune’s moon Triton or using a cosmic telescope, powered by the sun, to find the next Earth that could be multiple light years away.  Perhaps that timeframe can even be sped up . . .

The first two episodes are slick, with extremely high production value and a capsule Tyson rides in that is reminiscent of something from the Disney film, Flight of the Navigator.  The material is intriguing and will encourage viewers to come back for more.  The big question is how Sagan’s concepts will be viewed in 2020.  Tyson uses a good portion of the first episode to discuss Baruch Spinoza, a Dutch philosopher who threw out biblical concepts and focus on rationality. In fact, the fictional spaceship in the first two episodes bears his name.  I think this is where the concept goes awry. With there being so much chance and so much time between the formation of the universe (14 billion years) and now, it leads to intense speculation that one little mistake would throw off all we know.  God’s plan is perfect, just as He is (Matthew 5:48) and requires much less faith to follow in consideration.  I’m all for looking at the future—even finding myself daydreaming about the things my oldest will discover as she looks at rocks from other planets in college.  I know they will bring us to greater discoveries that push us to Sagan’s endgame.  The question is if we’re ready to go there.  We’ll have to make those decisions at some point, so let’s spare the past and look forward instead, pressing on day by day to a future that will carry us to greater things.

The Mandalorian Preview—A Gritty Return to the Star Wars Universe

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He’s as bad as he wants (or needs) to be.

Recently, I had the privilege to head down to Hollywood and take a look at one of the first major entries in Disney’s new streaming service, Disney+ (launching November 12).  If you have any interest in Star Wars, read on to get my thoughts about The Mandalorian.

The Mandalorian is a standalone entry to the Star Wars universe and features a lone gunfighter working in the outer parts of the galaxy where rules are optional and it’s probably a good idea to keep a blaster at your side.  Our ‘hero’ is crafted in the veins of Jango and Boba Fett, right down to the unique helmet with T-shaped visor he wears. To give a timetable for the show, The Mandalorian, according to Disney, “is set after the fall of the Empire and before the emergence of the First Order.”

Our screening in Hollywood consisted of 27 minutes of film spread over three different episodes. It is evident from the outset that this is not the polished, streamlined Star Wars you’ve come to know and love.  There is a grittiness rarely seen in the films on showcase here.  Characters seem more inclined to make unpredictable decisions, leading to some unique situations.  Even John Williams is nowhere to be found, his iconic soundtrack replaced by an industrial-based musical style that works well.  We discover the Mandalorian working on his bounty-hunting skills on a number of planets, dealing with seedy characters and never-before-seen creatures that can make someone’s day miserable in a hurry. In addition, there are a number of nods to the film series shared in the form of Easter Eggs that may require multiple viewings (it’s a good thing you can binge-watch this series).

I personally thought the clips shown in The Mandalorian were quite good and provide a lot of room to maneuver in future episodes (Season 2 is already being filmed).  The grittiness does not consist in poorly designed sets or stilted dialogue, but a foreboding atmosphere of doom, gloom, and even some mud. The artwork and set design are stellar to boot. There wasn’t a lot of hope expressed in the clips, although that will possibly change.  It’s uncertain whether the Mandalorian is good or evil, and I like that premise.  There’s enough quality and intrigue to give the series a few episodes of your time at the absolute least. Our audience gave the clips a good to great reaction, even applauding at the end of the screening.

Executive Producer Jon Favreau (photo: J. Alan Sharrer)

Afterwards, we had the opportunity to chat with a few members of the show.  Jon Favreau, the executive producer, noted that his whole taste in film was formed as a result of George Lucas.  He likened The Mandalorian to the serial films of the past with cliffhangers and such, as the streaming platform allows for new ways of presenting the film (a new episode will be released each week, so viewers don’t have to wait for years to see the next installment—“everybody is seeing it first.”  In this way, the audience discussion will stay fresh and lively (think Game of Thrones).  There are multiple directors of the episodes, allowing the series to take on its own unique life and personality (episodes will be directed, in the first season, by Deborah Chow (Jessica Jones), Rick Famuyiwa (Dope), Bryce Dallas Howard (Solemates), and Taika Waititi. 

Favreau made it clear that The Mandalorian is a nice entry point for those who aren’t into the Star Wars universe.  They assume the viewer doesn’t know much and catches them up to speed as the episodes progress.  As Favreau put it, “How do you weave it together . . . coalesce it so it creates an overarching narrative people would be able to enjoy wherever they are?” This, however, does not mean that The Mandalorian is only for newbies.  Blink too fast and you might miss something that relates to the Star Wars universe.

We’ll get to take a look at The Mandalorian together on November 12th, but you need to subscribe to Disney+ in order to view it.  I think Disney may have a winner on their hands—just as the final episode of Star Wars reaches the masses next month.